Milwaukee Military Memorials: Inventory SheetSummer 2014

Carlen Hatala (chatal@milwaukee.gov)Paul Jakubovic (pjakub@milwaukee.gov)Nader Sayadi (nsayadi@uwm.edu)

General Information

Title(s) General Douglas MacArthur Memorial Property No. 015

Subject Matter(s)

Statue

CurrentLocation

District/Ward

Street Address Veteran's Park, Milwaukee – Southern section, close to the War Memorial Center

Geographical Coordination

Latitude 43° 2'33.37"N Longitude 87°53'42.02"W

PreviousLocation(s)(if applicable)

Street Address MacArthur Square, Civic Center Plaza (Buck and Palmer, Outdoor Sculpture in Milwaukee, 65)

Geographical Coordination

Latitude 43° 2'28.91"N Longitude 87°55'19.16"W

Dedicated to soldiers of

Revolutionary War Civil War Spanish-American War WWI WWII Vietnam War All wars

Description General Douglas MacArthur (1880-)

Patron(s) or Sponsor(s)

Marie Z. Uihlein and familyShe was the widow of Erwin C. Uihlein who was a friend of General Douglas MacArthur. Erwin Uihlein has been also board chairman of the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co. this manument is actually in memory of Erwin C. Uihlein. (Milwaukee Sentinel, March 10, 1978)

Designer(s) Robert Lee Dean (b. 1929):Robert Dean, the sculptor of the bronze portrait, is a 1953 graduate of West Point. He spent four years as a pilot in the United States Air Force before joining the banking industry in New York City. While working in Mexico as a financial consultant, Dean began to study sculpture at the Fine Arts Academy in Mexico City. In 1966 he and his family moved to Italy, where he continued his sculpture study at the Florence Fine Arts Academy. Over the past twenty years Dean has concentrated on portrait sculpture. Will Rogers, Albert Einstein, Vince Lombardi, and Helen Keller all have been his subjects. His monumental statue of General Dwight D. Eisenhower was dedicated in London in 1990. (Buck and Palmer, Outdoor Sculpture in Milwaukee, 65)

Manufacturer(s)

Costs $50,000 (Buck and Palmer, Outdoor Sculpture in Milwaukee, 65)

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City of MilwaukeeCity Clerck's OfficeHistoric Preservation Office

200 E Wells St.Milwaukee, WI (414) 286-5722

CurrentOwner(s)

National State County City Private

Description

DedicationDate

June 8, 1979, coincide with the eightieth anniversary of MacArthur's entrance into West Point. (Buck and Palmer, Outdoor Sculpture in Milwaukee, 66)

Other Dates

Descriptive Physical Condition

Description of the place (location)

The statue is located on junction of five passing ways in the Veteran's Park at the Lake Michigan, north of the War Memorial Center. The statue looks south to the body of water in front of it. The rectangle dedicated to the statue is covered by gravel and sand, with twelve boulders around it. Three flagpoles stand behind the statue.

Features and materials

Statue: Bronze, 9' 6" high.

Pedestal: Masonry/concrete, painted in white.

Inscription(s)(if applicable)

The statue used to have inscription on its former marble base at its former location in front of the courthouse. There is no inscriptions on the base or around it.

Architectural Pathology

Element Deterioration

Bronze statue The statue is in a stable and good physical condition. Some minor corrosion, contamination, and scratches can be seen on the bronze surfaces, particularly at the upper parts.

Base The base is not proportionate with the statue. The concrete base does not have an appropriate finishing which does not provide a good apprentice.The base is also contaminated by the sulphide washed off from the bronze statue surface.

History

Date Events

August and September, 1945

MacAurthor Square: given civic center. In honor of General Douglas MacArthur By resolution introduced Aug 3l, 1945, by alderman of the locality (John Koerner, 4th ward); passed by Common council September l7, 1945. (Muni. Ref. Library, Jan.14, 1959)

April 1951 MacAurthor Square, Dedication April: Apr.28, 1951 during the general's homecoming celebration when the parade stopped before the courthouse for the ceremony. (Muni. Ref. Library, Jan.14, 1959)

March 1974 MacAurthor statue: The City of Milwaukee Common Council approved location of the statue at MacArthur Square on March 9, 1974. Architect David Kahler of the firm of Kahler Slater and Fitzhugh Scott, Inc., has selected an area of the Plaza as most suitable for placement of the statue. (Press Information for release March 9, 1978, at Annual War Memorial Corporation Meeting: 2)

January 03, 1978 Proposal and fund-rising: (Milwaukee Sentinel, January 03, 1978) “The original casting stands at Texas Military Institute in San Antonio.” “Donald Turek, exclusive director of the County Memorial Center, said that the

committee is motivated by a desire to honor MacArthur not as an Army general, but as one of the city's many war heroes. “... A concerted drive for necessary funds was held up in courtesy to the fund drive that resulted in the construction of the Milwaukee Art

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Center's East wing on the Memorial Building. Last summer [1977] the committee wanted to use the Mid-west premiere of the film “MacArthur” as a fund raising event. The owner of the theater was happy to cooperate and we had our publicity all drafted,” Turek recalls. The committee stumbled on the lowest rungs of the film maker's hierarchy. “We didn't give up,” Truck said. “We gt them to pass the request up the ladder. It took a long time until the top people got the request. They thought it was a great idea but by them it was too late to do anything.”

“... the committee obtained a plaster model of the statue from Robert Lee Dean, the sculptor. The two foot tall model is enshrined in the west lobby of the Memorial Center. There is a supply of envelopes nearby for donations.”

March 10, 1978 The statue, plus the establishment of an exhibit on the MacArthur family at the County Historical Society publication of a booklet and placement of historical markers around town, will be part of the $50,000 MacArthur project aimed at honoring him as one of the city's many war heroes. (Milwaukee Sentinel, March 10, 1978)

March 15, 1978 Historic markers will be placed around the city indicating sites linked to MacArthur's life here, among them the Plankinton House, 609 N. Plankinton Ave., his legal address for many years. The markers will be paid for by war veterans and patriotic groups. Total cost of the project will be more than $50,000. (Milwaukee Journal, March 15, 1978)

March 12, 1979 Negative reaction to the statue's erection:“… I bring up all this weighty research because I am sure that our courageous local politicians will want to examine their consciences and take a stand against cluttering up parks and public places with the traditional generals, horses and junk. If we bave to have a sculpture of MacArthur at MacArthur Square, it could at least serve some useful purpose. Maybe it could be placed at the entrance of the parking garage and spit out time cards you get on the way in.” (Milwaukee Journal, March 12, 1979)

June 08,1979 Dedication day: Sen. Harry F. Byrd Jr. (Dva.) will be principle speaker at a dinner June 8 at the Pfister

Hotel. Rep. Clement Zablocki (D. Wis.) will be toastmaster. MacArthur's widow, Jean, of New York, is expected to attend the dinner. (Milwaukee Journal, March 07, 1979)

October 2013 Making decisions for relocation of the statue from from MacArthur Square to Veteran's Park:

The statue of Douglas MacArthur “is in the vicinity of the Milwaukee Public Museum, the Milwaukee County Courthouse, the Safety Building and the Police Administration Building, he does not attract much attention."It's such a waste to have him over there," said Ted Hutton, a retired Allen-Bradley executive. "Most people don't even know the statue exists." But that may change. Charles C. (Chas) Mulcahy, a retired lawyer who was involved in creating MacArthur Memorial Week back in 1979 when the bronze statue was first unveiled, is leading the charge with Hutton and Mike Balistriere of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council to move the statue to the War Memorial Center. "We're in a very preliminary stage," Mulcahy said. "But we would like to do this as part of a 35th anniversary MacArthur Memorial Week next June." So far at least, the feedback from some veterans groups has been positive, Mulcahy said. MacArthur and his family lived for a time in Milwaukee, and he attended the old West Division High School. Theobald Otjen, a Wisconsin congressman and former member of the Milwaukee Common Council, nominated MacArthur to West Point. MacArthur's rise through the military ranks was swift and controversial. He served in World War I, was West Point superintendent in the 1920s, and retired from the U.S. Army in 1937 to advise the military of the Philippines. In 1941, MacArthur was recalled to active duty to command army forces in Asia. When Japan invaded the Philippines in World War II, MacArthur's forces had to withdraw, and eventually he escaped to

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Australia. After several years of battles, MacArthur returned to the Philippines — keeping a now-famous promise — and officially accepted Japan's surrender in September 1945. MacArthur oversaw the occupation of Japan from 1945 to 1951 and later led the United Nations Command in the Korean War. In April 1951, MacArthur was removed from his command by President Harry S. Truman. MacArthur died in 1964. Mulcahy said he planned to meet with city and county officials to gain their support for moving the statue, which he said remains in excellent condition. The statue is now on city land. But county approval will likely be needed, too, Mulcahy said. Ald. Bob Bauman said Wednesday that he thought moving the statue was a good idea. And although the MacArthur statue has largely been forgotten, moving the statue may spark a renewal of interest in his life. "I'm a Marine Corps veteran," Balistriere said. "Right now, that statue isn't very visible to folks anymore. It doesn't get a lot of attention. But it will at the War Memorial."” (http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/a-move-is-afoot-to-move-douglas-macarthur-statue-to-war-memorial-center-b99111652z1-226153741.html, retrieved July 08, 2014)

May 2014 Cleaning, preparation and relocation of the statue from MacArthur Square to Veteran's Park: “Vietnam veteran and member of the Veterans Community Relations Team Gregory

West is one of the people who spearheaded the statue's relocation to the Veterans Park area of the lakefront.” (http://wuwm.com/post/macarthur-statue-move-milwaukee-lakefront, retrieved July 08, 2014)

“As the MacArthur statue was placed from the forklift to its new stand, the audience of about 30 spectators and veterans rejoiced. “Take a look at it,” said Gregory West of the Veteran’s Community Relations Team (VCRT). “It belongs there.” Nearly 35 years after its original dedication on June 8, 1979, the statue of Gen. Douglas MacArthur was moved Thursday to the lakefront at Veteran’s Park.” “Doral Corp. and The Boldt Co. teamed up with VCRT to relocate the statue. Doral and Boldtdonated their time, expertise and materials, which West said would have cost about $65,000. Doral Corp., which was contacted in February about the project, stored the statue at its shop for cleaning and added a plate to the bottom for welding, said Doral’s project manager Charlie Lomas. The Boldt Co. removed the statue from its original location and poured the concrete for the stand at Veteran’s Park, said Boldt’s project manager Eric Gribble.” (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2014/05/macarthur-statue-moves-to-visible-lakefront.html, retrieved July 08, 2014)

“Several months ago, VCRT MacArthur Forum, Inc., (VCRT MacArthur) the nonprofit running the 2014 MacArthur Memorial Week, agreed to assume responsibility for securing the necessary government approvals, funding and decision making under the auspices of both the Milwaukee County Department of Parks, Culture & Recreation and the Milwaukee County War Memorial. Veteran Greg West chaired the move for VCRT. VCRT contacted The Boldt Company (Boldt), Doral Corporation (Doral) and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 494, AFL-CIO (Local 494, IBEW) who then volunteered to donate their services to complete this relocation. Boldt restored the old site, prepared the new site and created the pedestal and footings for the statue. Doral provided the riggings and transportation of the statue from MacArthur Square to an inside location for careful cleaning and then to the lakefront site. Together, Boldt and Doral mounted and secured the statue on the new pedestal. Local 494, IBEW provided the electrical components in the footings and pedestal as well as the actual lighting services and materials for the statue. As good citizens, Boldt, Doral and Local 494, IBEW provided over $65,000 worth of donated services and material in removing the statue and restoring the MacArthur Square site, cleaning and moving the statue to Veterans Park, preparing the site including building a new pedestal, lighting and mounting the statue. Moving the MacArthur statue also involved various approvals from

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both the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County including the Parks Department. There were issues along the way but the spirit of public/private cooperation resulted in resolving location, moving and insurance issues. VCRT MacArthur, Boldt, Doral, Local 404, IBEW, city and county officials and veterans all sensed the importance of the moment and worked together to finalize all approvals, make the move, prepare the site, clean and mount the MacArthur statue.”(http://www.macarthurmilwaukeeforum.com/macarthur-week/macarthur-statue-relocation-partnership/, retrieved July 08, 2014)

The statue was relocated on May 29, 2014.

The overall cost of labor and materials, which was donated by Doral and Boldt Co., would have been more than $65,000. The Boldt Co. also built a new stand for the MacArthur statue. (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/gallery/38221?s=image_gallery&img_no=1, retrieved July 08, 2014)

Photos: (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/gallery/38221?r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bizjournals.com%2Fmilwaukee%2Fblog%2F2014%2F05%2Fmacarthur-statue-moves-to-visible-lakefront.html, retrieved July 08, 2014)

videos: ◦ http://www.wisn.com/news/gen-douglas-macarthur-statue-to-get-new-home-next-

week/26144816#!baSasj, retrieved July 08, 2014.◦ http://www.wisn.com/news/macarthur-statue-to-return-to-milwaukees-

lakefront/26212964#!baR94N, retrieved July 08, 2014)

June 07, 2014 Rededication: “With full military honors, the bronze statue of General Douglas MacArthur was

rededicated at its new home on June 7.””The monument's new home at Veteran's Park came as a result of efforts by the Veterans Community Relations Team (VCRT), who felt the lakefront location offered greater access to the public than did its original Milwaukee Courthouse spot. Sponsors for the week-long memorial program also included the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, Marquette University and the Wisconsin National Guard. The unveiling ceremony began with remarks by Gen. Robert Cone, U.S. Army (Ret.), a resident of Shawano. Wreaths were also placed around the statue by representatives from the U.S., Australia, Japan, Philippines and South Korea in gratitude and remembrance for Gen. MacArthur military service to those countries.” (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2014/06/gen-macarthur-statue-honored-at-veterans-park.html, retrieved July 08, 2014)

Red Arrow takes part in MacArthur statue re-dedication (http://dma.wi.gov/dma/news/2014news/14093.asp, retrieved July 08, 2014)

Photos: http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/gallery/41571?r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bizjournals.com%2Fmilwaukee%2Fblog%2F2014%2F06%2Fgen-macarthur-statue-honored-at-veterans-park.html, retrieved July 08, 2014)

(Milwaukee Journal, May 20, 1932)

Notes

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Illustrations:

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Illustration 1: The current location of the statue.

Illustration 2: The current location of the statue. (http://www.bing.com/maps/)

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Illustration 4: Army Lt. Col. John P. Otjen stood with Jean MacArthur at the unveiling of the statue of Gen. MacArthur, at . MacArthur Square on the Civic Center Plaza. (The Milwaukee Sentinel, June 09, 1979)

Illustration 3: The statue. (Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, Inc. annual corporation meeting, March 09, 1978)

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Illustration 5: Army Lt. Col. John P. Otjen stood with Jean MacArthur at the unveiling of the statue of Gen. MacArthur, at . MacArthur Square on the Civic Center Plaza. (The Milwaukee Sentinel, June 09, 1979)

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Illustration 6: The statute at its original place at MacArthur Square. Photo credit Lee Matz. (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/gallery/38221?r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bizjournals.com%2Fmilwaukee%2Fblog%2F2014%2F05%2Fmacarthur-statue-moves-to-visible-lakefront.html)

Illustration 7: The statute at its original place at MacArthur Square. Photo credit Lee Matz. (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/gallery/38221?r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bizjournals.com%2Fmilwaukee%2Fblog%2F2014%2F05%2Fmacarthur-statue-moves-to-visible-lakefront.html)

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Illustration 8: War veteran Gregory West stands on proposed spot for General Douglas MacArthur's statue at veteran's park. Photo credit S. Bence. (http://wuwm.com/post/macarthur-statue-move-milwaukee-lakefront)

Illustration 9: A police escort led the statue through downtown, from storage to its new location at Veteran’s Park. Photo credit S. Bence. (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/gallery/38221?s=image_gallery&img_no=1)

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Illustration 10: The Doral Corp. moved the statue from its shop to Veteran’s Park. Photo credit S. Bence. (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/gallery/38221?s=image_gallery&img_no=1)

Illustration 11: Installation on the new base at Veteran's Park. The Doral Corp. installed a one-and-a-half inch plate at the base of the statue to fit it to the new stand Photo credit S. Bence. (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/gallery/38221?s=image_gallery&img_no=1)

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Illustration 12: Wisconsin National Guard members were flag bearers at the ceremony. Visitors from the MacArthur Memorial Week event attended the rededication. Photo credit S. Bence. (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/gallery/38221?s=image_gallery&img_no=1)

Illustration 13: A parachute donated by the Wisconsin National Guard was used to cover the statue until it was publicly unveiled. Photo credit S. Bence. (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/gallery/38221?s=image_gallery&img_no=1)

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Illustration 14: Five countries paid tribute to the memory of the general who shaped the history of their countries. Photo credit S. Bence.(http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/gallery/41571?s=image_gallery&img_no=1)

Illustration 15: Taps was played per military tradition to honor MacArthur. Photo credit S. Bence. (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/gallery/41571?s=image_gallery&img_no=1)

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Illustration 16: Overview of the statue. (Nader Sayadi, July 28, 2014)

Illustration 17: The statue looking south toward the lake. (Nader Sayadi, July 28, 2014)

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Illustration 18: The Bronze statue on the new pedestal . The memorial does not have any plaque or inscription . (Nader Sayadi, July 28, 2014)

Illustration 19: Close view of the bronze statue: minor corrosion, contamination, and scratches. (Nader Sayadi, July 28, 2014)

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Illustration 20: The corrosion is washed on the concrete pedestal. (Nader Sayadi, July 28, 2014)